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Nonprofit Overview

Mission: Lusco Farms Rescue
The mission of Lusco Farms Rescue is to provide immediate shelter, veterinarian care and nutrition for all equines. A special emphasis will be placed on the well being of miniature ponies and donkeys. Volunteers at Lusco Farm Rescue will provide care without passing judgment on those involved in the situation. Our main purpose is to rehabilitate and find safe and caring homes for the equines that have come into our care.
"A donkey is a special. Are you special enough to be a friend?

Results: We have worked diligently this year to get our name out to the local agencies and general public in regard to our misson. We have adopted 12 donkeys and mules to wonderful homes. We have also taken in over 20 donkeys, mules and ponies.
Improvements were made to a hay storage area and water lines run to the paddocks. This was only possible by the generous grant award by a major animal health company.
We Started a therapy program for individuals with mental disabilities. The donkeys are taken to local agencies for residents to pet and interact with. These agencies also bring residence to the rescue to visit.

Target demographics: Specific emphasis is on donkey and mules of the equine family.

Direct beneficiaries per year: The largest and most difficult rescue to date: Four Mules and a donkey all need help when an owner has given up hope of finding a rescue to take her animals. Team Lusco steps in to provide hoof care for very overgrown hooves. The Fab5 are on their way towards finding homes. We have rehomed over 100 donkeys since 2011!

I saw Alf on Lusco Farms Facebook page and had to have him. We met him and loved him. Also loved Stewie but could only take one. Stewie is now the mascot for Lusco Farms. Lusco Farms was very patient with us as Alf is our only donkey. They answered all our questions even after the adoption!!

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I adopted Alf, a large donkey. Lura and Scott were very helpful and remain supportive. I can contact them with any questions that I have. The rescue is clean and they take great care of the donks. They have a lot of love in there hearts! Great place to adopt from!! I would highly recommend Lusco Farms Rescue!

I first learned of Lusco Farms Rescue in the winter of 2013. I did not realize that there were donkey rescues!!! I fell in love with two donkeys and began contacting them regarding these two boys. I eventually adopted them in the spring of 2014 and then adopted two girls in the fall of 2014. Lusco Farms Rescue is very caring and passionate about the care of the donkeys they rescue. They work many hours and will travel great distances for a donkey in need. They will take in any donkey in need of assistance; regardless of the time and money that it takes to rehabilitate the animal. Each donkey they take in, becomes a part of their family and the rescue is their temporary home until they become adopted and find their forever home. They screen potential adopters to ensure that each animal adopted will have a suitable home. This is a great, caring rescue that I highly recommend to anyone looking to adopt. Some of the best people you will ever meet!!!

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I just want to let everyone know what a great organization that Lusco Farms Rescue is and I should know..I adopted two donkeys from them! It was November/December 2013 when I decided that I wanted to adopt a donkey. After researching them and realizing that they bond with one another, I decided to adopt two.
I found Lusco Farms Rescue and began communicating with them via email as they had two little ones that were a bonded pair, that I was interested in. I emailed them numerous times and they always emailed me back. I asked questions...they answered. In late January my husband and I had the chance to go to Malvern and meet Scott and Lura and see the donkeys. Scott and Lura were very willing and able to answer questions, let us spend time with the donkeys and tell us about some of the rescues. We fell in love with the donkeys and knew we wanted to give them a home. Problem...middle of winter, we have no fence, no shelter set up for them!! We explained this to Scott and Lura and they didn't think that was a problem. We were told that they would continue caring for the donkeys until we were ready for them to come home!!! We adopted our babies; Nick and Max that day. They were delivered to us on April 5th personally by Scott, Lura, and Josh. They took the time to show us how to give immunizations/dewormer, explained the immunizations that they have had, ferrier work done and then took the time to look at our setup for Nick and Max and give recommendations etc.
I honestly know that if I have questions/concerns that I can contact them and that they will offer advice.
Lusco Farms Rescue is an awesome rescue and I am so happy that I found them.
Please, if you're thinking about getting a donkey or two, contact Lusco Farms Resuce!!! If you can't adopt but are able to donate; this is a non-profit that is very deserving!!

I have know this family for a few years now and have watched this group grow and do wonderful things for these poor animals who have been abused and neglected his family has brought a good thing to our community and raised awardness on the donkey issues. Way to go Scott, Lou and family!!!

I have becomes friends with this group over the past several years and have been impressed with their dedication to all animals in general. Their care for and concern for the mules and donkeys is incredible. They drive hundreds of miles to rescue and place their animals. Most rescues only cover animals in a small area, but Lusco Farms covers multiple states. They are the only rescue of their kind in this area.

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My wife and I have gotten involved with this rescue group after having mostly worked with cats and dogs. These people are so dedicated to the donkeys and mules. There are few people that would devote the time and energy that these people do. Until meeting this rescue group, I had no idea there was such a need for them.

First of all, I am a long-time owner of quarter horses...showing, breeding and training them. But due to my advancing in age and arthritis, it became more difficult for me to ride and raise, and train the 1000 lb. horses, so I and my herd went into retirement. Then my herd dwindled to 3 horses.
I have a 7 horse-stall insulated, heated barn, indoor and outdoor arenas, and 20 acres of pasture.
Then, I came across the Lusco Rescue on the internet. The donkeys (especially the minis) were a sign from heaven. I read all I could about the donkeys, on the internet and finally called Lusco. They were very friendly and talked to me about donkeys in general, and their rescue. I fell in love!

I was going to make an appointment to see the Lusco Rescue, when a friend of mine informed me that they knew of a mini donkey headed to slaughter if not sold....I immediately contacted the donkey owner, and offered a home for their 2 yr. old jack. And, they ended up selling me the mini for $25.00.

He was thin, not gelded, and had no shots nor wormed. I picked him up, and then called Lusco for any and all info on how to properly raise this donkey.....
Because of their help, experience, and encouragement, (even though I didn't get a rescue from them), my "Boomer" has been gelded, wormed, and had his shots...plus I halter broke him, had a series of farrier work done on him...he is now a happy, healthy and thriving little guy. I hate to think what would have happened to him if I had not seen and talked to this wonderful rescue.

Lusco Rescue is one of the most loving, caring, and dedicated rescues out there....because of them, I found and fell in love with the donkeys....if not for them, my little "Boomer" would not be with us today....I thank them from the bottom of my heart....oh, and "Boomer" thanks them too...:).

This is a wonderful and much needed rescue. I became involved with the rescue when attending one of their fundraisers....since then they have come along way to get the word out there that there is a need for donkey rescue! I have visited their rescue and the animals have a wonderful life while in their care. Lu and Scott take great care to who they allow to adopt the donkeys and make sure it will be a good fit and that the animal will have a wonderful forever home.
I will continue to support this rescue as much as I can and attend their fundraisers!!!
Keep up the great work Lu and Scott and team!!
LuAnn Kahle

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Wow where do I begin...the first time I got to meet Scott, Lu and the "Lusco Team", was at a fundraiser at Wild Buffalo Wings restaurant at Council Bluffs.
Wow once you ask them about their rescue...you will get an ear full! I never thought that there was that many donkey, mules and ponies that needed homes! They work hard to get the animals that come to them, back to a healthy state and find them the right homes, so they can live out the rest of their days in a loving and caring environment . They also go above and beyond to help other rescues of the same nature.
I went and visited their rescue this summer and took some friends with me....we had a wonderful time and the donkeys, mules and horses where all loved and cared for! The animals came to us to get a pat, and boy, did they love you when Lu got the bag of carrots!!! lol
My husband and I try to attend the fundraisers that they have. We where at their poker run...(evening events.) Great time and it was all for the animals!!! :)
We are happy that they part of the Southwest Iowa Coalition too!!!

Do not know where to begin...My husband and I grew up in town and were never around equine. A year and a half ago we bought a home on 3 acres and the previous owner left his neglected mule there. We all fell head over heels for him and we learned quickly (as best as we could anyways!) and made sure he was loved and healthy again! Fast forward to August 2014 and due to unfortunate circumstances we are losing our home which is devastating in itself but had to find a home that was worthy of beautiful Joker. We never felt comfortable with anyone who wanted him, so being the research junkie I am I came across Lusco Farms. Contacted them told them our situation and they came and got him. I knew we made the right choice when the first thing Scott did was go up and hug my friend Joker (just like I did everyday!) and introduced himself to him! Wow! His wife Lura was so very kind and thoughtful too! Watching him leave was and is still very hard on us, mostly me as I was very close with him but we know it was the right thing to do. At least I know he is safe and loved. I honestly cannot even find words to express what they have done for us. I wish I could tell everyone how wonderful, selfless and compassionate these people/rescue are!!

I can't say enough great things about this rescue and what they do for the animals, and for the adopters. A year and a half ago I adopted two wonderful donkeys from Lusco Farms, and through the whole searching, adopting, and post adoption period they have been wonderful. Their genuine concern and love for these beautiful animals shines through all that they do.

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My husband decided he wanted a miniature donkey, so I began looking at rescue sites. Lusco Farms was the first one I saw, and contacted, and the first to email me back...like two hours later. We ended up adopting two donkeys, Guido and Brady, and we couldn't have been happier throughout the whole process. I was impressed with their adoption process- you could tell they genuinely cared about these wonderful creatures receiving good homes...and I was very pleased with their requirement that they be returned to the rescue if a situation ever arises where we are unable to care for them anymore. Both Lura and Scott have been available to answer any questions we've had, and done so quickly. It is evident that they have a huge heart for these animals. Any donkey that is lucky enough to come in to their rescue, is guaranteed a good life from that point on. I highly recommend them. My donkeys have made my life so much more enjoyable, and definitely more interesting!

Lusco has been wonderful to my mother and stepfather in the adoption of their donkeys, Nick and Max. They made sure the home was suitable and have stayed in contact every step of the way. They deserve much, much more recognition than I could ever give. Rescuing animals is such a selfless job, these people are truly incredible.

This is such a great organization that help the donkey's they have a great group of staff I'm very thankful to know that they are in good hands when the need care GO LUSCO nation love ya guys thank you very much for everything you do.

This is a great organization! It is such an honor to volunteer for such a loving and caring family. They do everything possible to help out the donkeys in need even if it means having to put family plans off for a bit. I've volunteered for them since they started the rescue and I absolutely love it. It has taught me so about the false facts about donkeys. It's always great to see such a fantastic family help out those in need.

We adopted two adorable mini donkeys from lusco and from the start Scott and lori have been there for us with answers to our questions and any other information we needed. highly recommend this organization

My family and I have supported this organization since the day their doors opened, they truly are a blessing in disguise, they are always spending their "free time" educating people on the animals, finding homes for the animals, traveling to save an animal...the list goes on. They are team players working to make sure that all animals are taken care of, even if they are not donkeys, mules, or ponies. whatever the animal is they reach out to the public and find it a home. They will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Thank You Lusco Team for all that you do for the animals,(big or small)

Donkeys have long gotten a bad wrap for being kind of silly to look at, having a funny voice that doesn't resemble anything like that of a horse and more than anything for being stubborn. For all those reasons, they are often neglected & even worse, discarded into horrible situations. While it is true that they can be stubborn, there is good reason- it's because they are wicked smart. For example, before asking a donkey to cross a stream, you better make sure there isn't an easier way to get around the water because they are too smart to tricked into getting wet if they don't have to. It's not that they don't want to please, it's just that they don't want to be made to do anything that they don't have to do the hard way. Once humans figure that out, making friends with donkeys is easy & fun to include friendships that last for years & years. This organization has done wonders for not only saving, protecting & fostering donkeys but also promoting them as the great animals that they are!!

My husband and I found 4 incredible animals here! the staff were very accommodating and knowledgeable. I'd definitely use a shelter to get animals, not only are you mending a heart, but gaining a friend for life!